View of Balena Bianca, or “White Whale,” of Bagni San Filippo in Tuscany, Italy. Signs discouraging climbing the calciferous formations are largely ignored by visitors drawn by the mineral-laden waters of this natural, and free, thermal spring. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz.
Although the calcium deposits that define Fosso Bianco and make up the site’s largest formation, Balena Bianca, can appear more uniformly white, they were heavily streaked in shades of greens and browns during our visit in mid-June of 2018. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz.
Stream running through Fosso Bianco in Bagni San Filippo, Tuscany. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz.
Column formations on Balena Bianca, part of the thermal springs in Bagni San Filippo, Tuscany. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz.
Freaking cool patterns created by the many thin layers of mineral formations in Bagni San Filippo’s thermal springs of Fosso Bianco. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz.
Detail of the mineral deposits that make up Balena Bianca and Fosso Bianco in Bagni San Filippo, Tuscany. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz.
View of the not-so-white “White Whale” in Bagni San Filippo, Tuscany. Photo by Renée DeVoe Mertz.